Lockheed Martin

The contracting behemoth is the world’s largest defense firm and a major player in other government work, ranging from the space program to the census. With government spending slowing, the company has begun trimming its ranks through buyouts at a number of its business units. It also made Christopher E. Kubasik, Lockheed’s president and chief operating officer, part of what the company called the executive office of the chairman, a move that analysts said hinted at a potential succession plan.

Trivia

The first nonstop transcontinental flight was completed in 19 hours in a Lockheed Vega, a four-passenger wooden monoplane.